Stevens Pass, WA Announces Capital Plans

(February 2013) Another Western ski resort has submitted a Master Development Plan for the consideration of the U.S. Forest Service.

Back in 2007, Stevens Pass Mountain Resort in Skykomish, Washington submitted its’ plan to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the resort’s landlord. The Forest Service has begun its initial review of the proposal. The plan is intended as a blueprint and overall vision for improvement of Stevens Pass over the next 10-15 years as required of the resort’s Special Use Permit with the U.S. Forest Service.

The plan, now unveiled, calls for a more than $4 million expenditure in lift and terrain improvements. A new high-speed detachable quad from Doppelmayer, scheduled to replace a fixed-grip quad and cut the ride time in half, leads the list of improvements. In addition to the new chairlift, the resort will add new glade terrain and expand the existing glade terrain.

This marks the first major capital investment for the new ownership and operating group which acquired the area in November 2011, the CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc., when it acquired Stevens Pass for $20.5 million. Construction on the new lift will begin this April with an expected opening in December. www.stevenspass.com